76
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
75/100
49 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Hankook K425 Kinergy Eco vs Hankook OPTIMO ME02 K424 — Compared (May 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
73
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
72/100
5 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Hankook K425 Kinergy Eco — better wet and handling. Pick the Hankook OPTIMO ME02 K424 if treadwear and comfort matter most to you.
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Category breakdown
5 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
OPTIMO ME02 K424 leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | K425 Kinergy Eco | OPTIMO ME02 K424 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 84 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
K425 Kinergy Eco leads by 25
Why this score
| Source | K425 Kinergy Eco | OPTIMO ME02 K424 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 77 | 52 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
OPTIMO ME02 K424 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | K425 Kinergy Eco | OPTIMO ME02 K424 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 77 | 80 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
OPTIMO ME02 K424 leads by 12
Why this score
| Source | K425 Kinergy Eco | OPTIMO ME02 K424 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 72 | 84 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
K425 Kinergy Eco leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | K425 Kinergy Eco | OPTIMO ME02 K424 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 74 | 70 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Hankook K425 Kinergy Eco | Hankook OPTIMO ME02 K424 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 76 | 73 |
| Dry | 83 | 84 |
| Wet | 77 | 52 |
| Comfort | 77 | 80 |
| Treadwear | 72 | 84 |
| Handling | 74 | 70 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
76
/ 100
Tire A
73
/ 100
Tire B
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Hankook K425 Kinergy Eco is a polarizing tire that is frequently praised for its exceptional longevity and value, yet criticized for inconsistent wet-weather performance and cabin noise. While many users report high mileage and stable dry-road handling, a significant subset of drivers experience disappointing traction in wet conditions and a rigid, noisy ride quality.
Pros
- Exceptional tread life and durability
- Strong value proposition compared to premium brands
- Reliable and stable handling in dry conditions
- Good fuel efficiency
Cons
- Inconsistent or poor wet-weather traction
- High levels of cabin noise, particularly on coarse asphalt
- Stiff, rigid ride quality
- Variable wear rates depending on vehicle weight and driving style
Observations
- Users driving heavier vehicles or estate cars reported faster-than-expected tread wear, suggesting the tire may struggle with higher load demands.
- Drivers of compact cars often reported better satisfaction with noise levels, whereas those in larger or more sound-insulated vehicles found the tire noise surprisingly intrusive.
- Several reports indicate that the tire's performance characteristics, particularly regarding noise and comfort, are highly sensitive to road surface texture.
The Hankook Optimo ME02 K424 receives highly polarized feedback, with a significant majority of users expressing severe concerns regarding its performance in wet conditions. While some users report satisfaction with its durability and performance in specific climates, the consensus leans heavily toward the tire being unreliable and potentially dangerous on slick surfaces.
Pros
- High tread longevity due to a harder rubber compound
- Reported effectiveness in light snowy conditions by select users
Cons
- Extremely poor traction and handling on wet roads
- Increased risk of skidding and loss of control during cornering in rain
- Longer braking distances in wet weather, even with ABS engagement
- Audible road noise described as 'squealing' during dry driving
Observations
- Users report that the tire's hard compound contributes to a lack of confidence during routine maneuvers like navigating roundabouts in the rain.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Hankook K425 Kinergy Eco | B · Hankook OPTIMO ME02 K424 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Touring tires | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
76
/ 100
Hankook
73
/ 100
Hankook
Winner: Hankook K425 Kinergy Eco — better wet and handling. Pick the Hankook OPTIMO ME02 K424 if treadwear and comfort matter most to you.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Hankook K425 Kinergy Eco scores 77 vs 52 on wet.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Hankook OPTIMO ME02 K424 scores 84 vs 72 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Hankook K425 Kinergy Eco scores 74 vs 70 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Hankook OPTIMO ME02 K424 scores 80 vs 77 on comfort.
Tire A · Hankook K425 Kinergy Eco
Tire B · Hankook OPTIMO ME02 K424
More comparisons
Also compared with
Hankook K425 Kinergy Eco also compared with
Hankook OPTIMO ME02 K424 also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.